Why Go Greek With Yogurt?
I wanted to share with you the reasons why I think Greek Yogurt is so dammed good for us and why I switched it for other products in my lifestyle.
Traditionally Greek Yogurt is made from goat’s milk and if you can get it to choose this variety when you can. These days a lot of the Greek Style products have actually switched to cows milk
The yogurt is strained to remove the whey protein.
The Whey is the part that can cause problems. It certainly seemed the culprit for me. Back in the day when I used to consume dairy daily, as many people still do, I found I always had stomach issues of some kind. I was getting to the point where it didn’t matter what label was plastered on it it didn’t suit me and that was that. I was having IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome, stomach cramps, and difficulty being regular or going to the toilet when it felt like time. The general digestive tract problems were making my life feel so much worse and much harder than it surely needed to be.
Consuming Whey Protein can lead to reduced good bacteria in your stomach and increases the bad bacteria which then, in turn, leads to stomach pain, constipation, and excess gas/wind.
Further research goes on to explain how whilst constantly requiring your body to live and function in this state proves more difficulties in being able to digest dairy products and proteins naturally and effectively.
Whey Protein is also known for giving headaches, long-term stomach complaints, bloating acne breakouts, sickness, and diarrhea.
HEART HEALTH
These tend to be short-term negative effects but what about the longer term. Not only does it lead to long-term illness relating to gut and digestive health, but whey protein can also affect the activity of the Heart and can lead to heart arrhythmia, angina, cardiac arrest, and other heart complications. Research has linked these high protein sources with high levels of saturated fats. Increased blood sugar levels and increased blood acidity and that’s why whey protein can be considered a danger to your heart health.
ACIDIC BLOOD
Whey protein is very acidic. When we consume whey protein it decreases the PH level of our blood. This puts additional strain on our kidneys as it finds it incredibly difficult to process the additional protein and this, in turn, makes our blood acidic.
LIVER COMPLICATIONS
If you are to consume whey without being in the habit of regular exercise, the whey goes to the liver for processing rather than to the muscle to aid synthesis, unfortunately, it acts very differently when housed in the liver and can cause liver damage.
KIDNEY ISSUES
Whey protein can limit and decrease function in the kidneys by increasing the plasma urea content., urinary calcium excretion, and urinary levels and amounts. This puts excessive strain on the kidneys and can lead to kidney stones. If you do have whey in your diet be sure to increase your water and your fibre quantity as this can help to neutralise.
OSTEOPOROSiS
Regular intake of whey protein causes a mineral imbalance in the body. It therefore can and does affect the bones and decreases bone density, which in turn leads to Osteoporosis.
GOUT
Research has shown that people that have gout experience more pain if they have whey in their regular diet. Be mindful of this and if this is an issue for you, you could quite simply remove the whey from your daily intake and manage the condition without additional discomfort.
WEIGHT GAIN
Not only does the whey protein make you feel bloated and give you stomach-related discomfort and pain. Often people on a diet or training in the gym can feel that they have to have protein in their diet to aid muscle growth or strength, however, we must be mindful as this method can actually constitute to consuming too much and cause a nutritional imbalance, not only making it more difficult for your body to stabilise and effectively process other nutrients but leading to issues with all other areas of the body too. Remembering that it is harder to lose weight when you feel run down by other conditions…in this case exasperated by the whey protein itself.
Consuming whey protein elevates the levels of calories consumed because it does contain its own calories, resulting in weight gain.
If you are concerned about your intake of Whey Protein you can help to counterbalance some of this, and the overall effects it has on your body and health by drinking plenty of water.
So we know now that in greek yogurt, it has been strained to remove the whey.
It also tends to result in a tangier taste and thicker creamier consistency. It is much better for us as a replacement for mayonnaise, creme fraiche, and sour cream.
Unless you have a severe allergy to milk and dairy products you can eat it safely and enjoyably.
Here are some benefits to adding this beauty to your lifestyle plan.
A GOOD NATURAL SOURCE OF PROTEIN
Ok I hear you say hang on Sj you have just said how bad protein can be for us, and as that is true in excess it is also important to understand that protein is good for us in balanced amounts. Protein helps to repair muscle and build muscle rather than experience muscle loss. It helps us to build leaner muscles and promotes a speedy recovery after exercise and or injury. It allows us to repair tissue, allows to make hormones, and promotes bone stability, skin and cartilage. Protein helps to assist in energy metabolism and cellular processes. It can also help us, when balanced, to maintain a healthy weight. Protein can also help us to curb our hunger by filling us up and can aid defense against disease via optimal immune functionality.
HEALTH BONE NUTRIENTS
Greek Yogurt is a great source of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. These are the essential minerals for bone health and strength. Greek yogurt is said to support bone strength and helps with the cycle of bone growth and absorption.
DIGESTIVE HEALTH
Greek Yogurt contains probiotics that are optimal for gut and digestive health.
Probiotics are good bacteria and help to restore a healthy bacterial balance within the gut. Helping to keep away any pain, discomfort, bloating, and gas.
HEALTHY IODINE
Greek Yogurt provides us with iodine which is a mineral that is important for our health. It is essential for metabolism, growth, and thyroid function.
GREEK YOGURT BOASTS LOTS OF IMPORTANT MINERALS AND VITAMINS
Calcium isn’t the only important nutrient in this amazing stuff. “Greek yogurt contains vitamin B12, which maintains red blood cells and helps to keep your nervous system functioning properly, Greek Yogurt also has other vitamins and minerals, including phosphorus, zinc, iodine, potassium, and riboflavin, which have lots of important benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, boosting immunity, and improving thyroid function.
I will leave you to make your own mind up about Greek Yogurt, however, with all of the above facts you would be crazy not to implement it into your diet.
If you find that you are still unsure about what to eat and would like help to switch your food choices onto a stable lifestyle plan so that you can have optimum health and wellbeing, free from the diet industry, and with the ability to control your weight and shape.
If you enjoyed this article you can join my weighting list and receive helpful healthy emails about hacks and services by subscribing to the email service here…
You won’t be bombarded with useless information and spam and you can most certainly unsubscribe at any time.
Here is some additional information that could help you and 7 simple switches to help you successfully change your lifestyle.
Much Love Sj x
